Earlier this afternoon I posted this picture on Instagram.... I received a few messages after posting regaring the containers I used for organization, so I thought I'd take a minute to break it all down in case anyone else is curious, too! Storage containers, Sterilite drawers, and clear shoe organizers!!! Affordable and efficient!!! I absolutely love the clear shoe organizer for catching lots of odds and ends that would typically end up in a drawer and eventually find themselves at the bottom of said drawer leaving me baffled and beyond frustrated. The visual piece helps keep things organized and easy to find!!! These are the … [Read more...] about Storage Solutions for the Classroom
guided reading
Launching Guided Reading Small Groups & Independent Centers
How many of you have already gone back to school? One question I'm often asked at the beginning of the school year is, "When do you start guided reading?!", so I thought we'd chat about how all that gets started in my classroom today :) The beginning of the year is important not only for establishing rules and routines, but also for assessing our students. We need to know where are babies are so we can determine how and what we need to teach. We're all given grade level objectives and standards to teach, but our kids also need differentiated instruction to meet their individual needs. Where does this fit in?! Most of my … [Read more...] about Launching Guided Reading Small Groups & Independent Centers
Starting the Year With Comprehension
Hey y'all! How many of you are already in the midst of back to school preparation? Or have already gone back to school?! We're so often on a one-track mind when it comes to going back to school...meet the teacher, school supplies, classroom decor...and the list goes on. As much as I think about all those things, my mind is also focused on organizing everything I need to have a successful year in guided reading, math, and other subject areas. What can I have at my fingertips to help me make sure I target important skills and strategies I want my kids to master throughout the day?! Yesterday I talked a bit about how I … [Read more...] about Starting the Year With Comprehension
Writing Interventions, Guided Reading, Behavior, & Vocabulary (with Freebies!)
Yesterday I had the privilege of talking to some of the most wonderful teachers in the world...my Texas teachers!!! Okay, so I'm a little biased ;) Honestly though...it was such a GREAT day in Austin. SO much to cover!! Writing interventions, guided reading, behavior management, and vocabulary! This is how I typically feel after a day full of talking... Hahaha!! I absolutely love it! The exhaustion is most definitely worth it! I promised my Texas teachers I'd pop-in today and leave a few goodies to download :) If you attended my Writing Intervention session, you might remember me … [Read more...] about Writing Interventions, Guided Reading, Behavior, & Vocabulary (with Freebies!)
Lots to Cover
Happy Sunday, friends! I just wanted to pop-in real quick to say "hello!" and give y'all a quick update because I've had several questions about a few resources and I figured this was the easiest and most efficient way to give y'all the details :) First up, I'm hoping to see some of my Ohio friends this week at the SDE Ohio K Conference. This will be a quick trip for me...less than 24 hours in Columbus!...but I'm really excited about getting to share with teachers some of the things I'm most passionate about. Vocabulary, Behavior Management, Math, and Anchor Activities!! It'll definitely be a BUSY, but fun!!!, … [Read more...] about Lots to Cover
Guided Reading Activities
Hello from New Orleans! I'm in Louisiana today for the SDE 1st Grade Conference. Fun stuff! So excited to meet the teachers here, share a few things, and (fingers crossed) eat some beignets :) Have you heard that TpT is having their sitewide sale today and tomorrow?! Here's a throwback to me in first grade to celebrate!! Hahaha!!! You can check out my holiday resources and more in my shop. Don't forget to use the promo code SMILE at checkout to save 28% on your total purchase! This past weekend I added a few new things to my store. If you already have my Guided Reading Phonics Bundle … [Read more...] about Guided Reading Activities
Reading Comprehension
How's reading coming along this school year? By now I'm sure you're in full swing with guided reading. I recently went to both Indiana and Tennessee for the SDE Kinergarten and 1st grade conferences. I had the opportunity to talk a lot about guided reading (a hot topic!!) and reading comprehension in several of my sessions. If you're looking for some great guided reading phonics activities for teacher table, check out this resource full of tried and true activities I used in the classroom and read about how I used them HERE. If you already have this resource, be on the lookout for Volume 2!!! … [Read more...] about Reading Comprehension
Reading & Writing Simple Sentences
Hey y'all! I've been hard at work and busy planning and prepping a few presentations for several upcoming conferences (hence the radio silence). I'm heading to Indiana, Tennessee, and NOLA in November and I can't wait!!! In the meantime, I wanted to share a few things I'll be discussing in a few of those sessions...particularly guided reading. Today I wanted to take a break from all that planning and prepping (I have a sick one here at home!!!) and talk a little bit about reading simple sentences. First, look at this face. This is not the face of a sick child, is it?! Bless. He's got a case of … [Read more...] about Reading & Writing Simple Sentences
Phonics Friday – Small Group Phonics Activities
These last few weeks have been 50 shades of cray. I'm not sure if I told y'all, but we got a roommate :) She's actually a friend of my niece's and she was starting her first semester of student teaching here in town. She had never been to Texas before and was a little wary of living so far from home (Indiana), so she was going to be staying with us until December. Remember how hard it was to student teach all day & not get paid?? And then rush home, get changed, and wait tables until midnight?? And then wake up at 5:30 the next day and do it all again? Or was that just me?!?! We were excited … [Read more...] about Phonics Friday – Small Group Phonics Activities
Launching Small Groups & Learning Centers (Literacy)
How many of you have already gone back to school? One question I'm often asked at the beginning of the school year is, "When do you start guided reading?!", so I thought we'd chat about how all that gets started in my classroom today :) The beginning of the year is important not only for establishing rules and routines, but also for assessing our students. We need to know where are babies are so we can determine how and what we need to teach. We're all given grade level objectives and standards to teach, but our kids also need differentiated instruction to meet their individual needs. Where does this … [Read more...] about Launching Small Groups & Learning Centers (Literacy)
